| Havana International Trade Fair Continues in Cuba
Havana, November 6 (RHC-Granma)-Panama´s First Vice President and Foreign Minister Samuel Lewis Navarro and Cuban Vice President Carlos Lage Davila inaugurated the 25th Havana International Fair with the participation of 53 countries, marking the increasing international interest in establishing relations with Cuba. Cuban Minister of Foreign Trade Raul de la Nuez said, "Old and new friends have come together at this year's fair to increase commercial, economic and cultural relations with Cuba in a climate of peace and friendship […] we see this as a demonstration that the blockade has not been able to isolate us from the rest of the [world], despite substantial losses. We maintain commercial relations with 176 countries and more than 3,000 foreign companies from the five continents. Our prestige and reliability continues to expand and strengthen." The Cuban Foreign Trade minister dedicated the 25 years of the fair to Commander in Chief Fidel Castro, whom he said is one of the fair's pioneers and greatest promoters. The Panamanian first vice president said that trade between Cuba and his country takes place in the framework of fraternity. Venezuelan Ambassador to Cuba Ali Rodriguez spoke about the volume of trade, represented by some 350 trade agreements worth more than $3 billion US, which Venezuelan First Vice Minister of Foreign Relations Rodolfo Sanz called further proof that ALBA is a concrete reality. The first day saw the inauguration of the Spanish, Panamanian and Venezuelan pavilions. Also participating at the opening day ceremony were Commander of the Revolution Ramiro Valdes; Lina Pedraza, from the Central Committee Secretariat; Vice President of the Council of Ministers Jose Ramon Fernandez; Government Minister Ricardo Cabrisas; and the fair's organizing committee president, Abraham Maciques. (Cubaminrex-RHC) |
|
|
Best viewed with Internet Explorer browser 800 x 600 resolution Copyright © Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Cuba, 2003 |